Jim Fenton has worked at The Enterprise since 1981 and began covering the Celtics in the 1985-86 championship season when Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish formed the Big 3. He was seated courtside for nearly every home game during the 22-
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Jim Fenton has worked at The Enterprise since 1981 and began covering the Celtics in the 1985-86 championship season when Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish formed the Big 3. He was seated courtside for nearly every home game during the 22-year title drought that came to an end in 2008 when the new Big 3 of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen turned things around.

The Celtics got to know veteran center Jason Collins when he spent more than half of this season as a backup center.

On Tuesday, one day after Collins revealed that he is gay, the Celtics supported their former teammate, who was traded to the Washington Wizards in February.

"I was happy for him,'' said Jeff Green. "He's a good friend of mine. He's a great teammate. He led by example. I'm truly happy for him and I'm glad he's happy.''

Collins called Celtics coach Doc Rivers a few days ago to let him know he was coming out and also discussed the matter on Monday morning with captain Paul Pierce.

"I don't know if I was surprised or didn't care one way or another,'' said Rivers. "When he called me to tell me, you can tell he wanted to tell me. I told him before he said it, 'Jason, I could care less about what you're about to tell me.'

"That's how I honestly feel. I could care less what any of you guys do. Who cares? It's just a non-factor to me and I know it's a factor to a lot of people and I never understood why.

"He told me he was coming out and I said, great, let's move forward. I jokingly said, 'I wish you could have gotten me more rebounds. That's all I care about, really.''

The Celtics said they would welcome Collins, who becomes a free agent this summer, back on their team next season. Jason Terry said the Celtics could use his toughness during their current playoff series with the New York Knicks.

"I think it's probably going to open the door to many more (athletes),'' said Pierce. "There's so many professional athletes, so many human beings that live a dark life. They're scared to expose it because of the exposure of sports and what people might think about them.

"But I think what he did was a great thing to open the door for other athletes who now will have the courage to come out.''